Denise Grünstein (1950-) Finland

Denise Grünstein is a Finnish photographer and artist whose breakthrough came in the 1990s with her surrealistic portraits. Grünstein has also worked as a fashion photographer and as a photographer of commercial art images. She currently lives and works in Stockholm.

Grünstein has had solo exhibitions at venues including Moderna Museet and Millesgården. Her photographs often express a characteristic, present and personal imagery with romantic elements. In one of Grünstein’s latest series from 2013, “Wunder/Winter,” a human figure is shown in the corner of the room. The pictures depict strong theatrical and performative elements where the figure seems to be consumed by its own body. The images are enigmatic with nightmarish features, in connection with the grotesque qualities that link to a surrealistic tradition.